We have our own struggles with the war in our flesh. We can so easily drift away into worldly desires. We’re pulled here, there, everywhere by friends, family, and our jobs. Having fun with friends, talking to them throughout the week, and planning your weekends; life is good. But what happens when trials come, life is not treating you well, and you need advice or help? Outside of your church home, (if you have one), how do you define your relationships with people you have chosen to share life with intimately? Are you abandoned by those friends when you have trials? Do you have a strong inner circle?
View the picture above. Does your inner circle understand life from God’s perspective? Do they help lead you in the right direction, “toward the goal for the prize of the upward call,” Philippians 3:14, toward victory? Or is there often confusion, chaos, distractions from your spiritual goals; ups, downs, all around, going nowhere?
I remember several close friends whom I shared much time. We traveled, shopped, went to social affairs. We always planned great weekends, but it never included church, discussing the WORD, and definitely no praise, and worship. I could not get the right advice when I needed it, or the advice given was the world’s way of handling trials. You might ask, “well why do you spend so much time with such persons.?” Good question. Well eventually, through prayer and wisdom from God’s WORD, I realized I was spending way too much time with friends who distracted me from growing in Christ. They could not encourage me through trials. They could not have a watchful eye over me at times when I might fall into temptation. Most of all, they could not pray for me. Do you get where I am coming from with your inner circle? I desired to have a more intimate relationship with God, so I began to ask myself who is inspiring me in my goal to grow spiritually; who encourages me, and guides me, with no selfish motives.
The bible tells us to get wisdom and those who get wisdom love life. It is better than gold. Proverbs 16:16, I need in my inner circle people who will exhort and rebuke me. In other words, I need people who will provide an honest assessment, praising me for my virtues, and chastising me in love when I am wrong. It is difficult to find friends in general, but even more difficult to find a Spirit-filled Christian friend. I decided to start investing time in evaluating my friends in my inner circle. I asked myself do my close friends model what I hope to have in Christ? Can they share spiritual wisdom from their life? “When you walk with the wise, you also will become wise.” (Proverbs13:20).” For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.” (Proverbs 11:14)
Of the twelve disciples, Jesus singled out 3 into his inner circle. The close relationship was with Peter, James, and John. Jesus delighted in these three because they loved Him the most. Peter, James, and John were among the earliest of Jesus’ disciples who had been with Him the longest (Luke 5:4–11). But the Bible does not say why Jesus chose Peter, James, and John as His inner circle. But these three men were present with Jesus during special events, being eyewitnesses of Jesus’ transfiguration (Mark 9:2–3), witnessing Jesus raise Jairus’s daughter from the dead (Luke 8:49–56), and accompanying Him while He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36–38). Also, these three witnessed Jesus’ greatest moments of glory and His darkest trials. They were His closest friends. As they walked with Jesus, they were focused on everything Jesus did and taught. Jesus was preparing them for greater works. They each became leaders and wrote books in the New Testament. They discovered God’s purpose for their lives. They encouraged each other and they rebuked sin.
It’s okay to embrace the opportunities of new friendships, but I desire to know God’s perfect will for my life. Therefore, it is good to be centered around like-minded people, within my inner circle. It is my responsibility to pray for discernment (with the help of the Holy Spirit) in choosing those closest to me. It is critical for me, to limit who may impact my life. I am learning to be very careful about who I allow in my inner circle. Are they going to help me accomplish God’s purpose for my life? Are they good for me, supportive of me, encourage me, loyal to me, do they have my back, will they be open and honest with me, and can I trust them? Jealousy, worldly lust, lies, negative opinions, and unnecessary frustrations have no place within my circle.
The tool I use to evaluate my inner circle is found in Galatians 5:19-23. Is the person walking in step with the Holy Spirit, submitted to and allowing Him to work in and through them? Do they have a heart that is submitted and surrendered to Him? It will be seen by their lifestyle of love, patience, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, and self-control.
Choose your inner circle wisely. The type of friends you have in your inner circle significantly define your success or failure. They largely influence the progress you make towards achieving your goals, especially spiritual growth. Your inner circle is your sanctuary. They should be people you can trust, who are like-minded, who inspire and encourage you. Do they have a zeal and thirst for the Lord? If you want to live a healthy, happy, successful, and spiritually fulfilling life, you need to surround yourself with positive, like-minded people.
If you’re serious about your spiritual growth, to know God more intimately, to know the purpose He has for you, then you may want to ask some of the questions above as you examine your inner circle. I pray we all will continue to grow in the wisdom and knowledge of our Lord and Savior. More importantly, applying His Word and the life He modeled in our daily lives.
So, who makes up your inner circle?
